CHICAGO _ Time is flying by for the Bulls, which happens when a team is playing four games in five nights.
"It's unbelievable that this is our 20th game already and just how quickly it goes," coach Fred Hoiberg said before the Bulls fell to the Trail Blazers 112-110 on Monday night at the United Center. "Before you know it, you're going to blink and it will be All-Star break, and certainly it all goes downhill from there toward the rest of the season."
Playing without point guard Rajon Rondo, who was suspended one game for "conduct detrimental to the team," the Bulls looked a bit ragged in their third game in four days and allowed the Blazers to pull away in the fourth quarter.
Damian Lillard did the most damage and finished with 30 points, while C.J. McCollum added 24.
"(The Blazers) can score the basketball," Hoiberg said, "but early in the game we didn't stop them from scoring at all and we used a lot of energy coming back in the third quarter. And then from there, it was just who made the most shots.
"We don't want to play too many of those throughout the season. We win games by defense, and (Monday night) it was an offensive battle and they're better at that game than us and they ended up winning it."
Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 34 for the Bulls, and Jimmy Butler continued his scorching scoring with 26. Butler has scored 20 or more in his last 14 games, the longest streak in the NBA this season.
Wade, who didn't travel to Dallas for Saturday's second of back-to-back games, is scheduled to make the trip to Detroit for Tuesday night's game against the Pistons. Hoiberg said Wade would not be on a minutes restriction.
The Bulls dropped to 11-9 with the loss, but Hoiberg has been happy with the start overall.
"I've been really pleased with how competitive this group has been," Hoiberg said. "We still have work to do, as a lot of teams do at this time of year, but we've made progress and hopefully we continue to get better."
Forward Doug McDermott missed his 10th consecutive game after suffering a concussion but is nearing a return. He practiced two on two Sunday, and after being reassigned to the Windy City Bulls of the D-League on Monday, he was a full participant in that team's practice at the Advocate Center.
McDermott, who suffered the concussion Nov. 12 against the Wizards, could return as soon as Thursday night against the Spurs, barring a setback.
"Doug had a good day," Hoiberg said. "He's rusty obviously, having his first full-contact practice, but (he) ... did a good job of getting up and down. He's going to go again (Tuesday).
"I'm sure he'll have some soreness involved, being the first time he's had this type of workout. Hopefully he has another good day (Tuesday) and we'll see what happens for Thursday."
Guard Michael Carter-Williams, who hasn't played since Oct. 31 because of a bone bruise in his left knee and a sprained left wrist, is set to be evaluated soon _ possibly Tuesday _ and could be headed to the Windy City Bulls to rehab.
